LSIC 179 CLASS SCHEDULE

Our Histories:  American Autobiographies

MW 2:45-4 p.m., Zagier Hall, 246

 

August 20:  Introductions; What is autobiography and why should we care?

 

August 22: In-class exercise

 

Aug. 27: Tour of library/writing center; 15-minute video on importance of writing, discussion of writing issues.  We will meet in the Writing Center, first floor of Ramsey Library, next to the reference section.  Students should begin to read Knight and Franklin.

 

Aug. 29:  Lesson #1, UNCA 101; Excerpt from the Narrative of Alvar Nuňez Cabeza de Vaca click here; letter of Governor and captain-general, Don Antonio de Otermin, from New Mexico, September, 1680, click here

 

Sept. 3:  No Class, Labor Day

 

Sept. 5:  History, Memory, and Autobiography: Excerpt from Thomas Jefferson’s Autobiography click here; George R. Twelves Hewes’ narrative of the Boston Tea Party click here; Benjamin Franklin to Lord Howe, July 20, 1776 (p. 184-186, Autobiography)

 

Sept. 10:  Travel narratives as autobiography: Discussion of Journal of Madam Knight click here for journal/begin to discuss concepts in Franklin autobiography.

 

Sept. 11 (Tuesday):  Act in Asheville Day:  Our day of service to the Asheville Community.  More information to follow.

 

Sept. 12: In-class activity

 

Sept. 17: Lesson #2, UNCA 101 Time for last-minute questions about the paper draft. 

 

Sept. 19: Paper draft comparing Franklin and Knight narratives due – exchange drafts with peer reviewers, go over ground rules for discussing the papers.  Note:  bring three copies of your paper to class: one for each peer reviewer, and one for Dr. Pearson

 

Sept. 22 (Saturday): Service day in the South Asheville Cemetery, 8:30-1 p.m.

 

Sept. 24:  Peer reviews of essay drafts in class.  Note:  Bring two copies of each peer review form to class:  one for the author of the paper, and one for Dr. Pearson. Click here for peer review groups.  Click here for paper evaluation sheet.

 

Sept. 26:  No class -- individual meetings with Dr. Pearson about paper drafts

 

Oct. 1: Lesson #3, UNCA 101; We will spend most of the time discussing The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.

 

Oct. 3:  No class, work on your final drafts

 

Oct. 5 (THIS IS A FRIDAY): FINAL DRAFT OF PAPER DUE TO ME (DR. PEARSON)  BY 2 P.M.  IF I AM NOT IN MY OFFICE, SLIDE YOUR PAPER UNDER MY OFFICE DOOR.  MAKE SURE TO TURN IN YOUR FINAL DRAFT AND THE DRAFT OF YOUR PAPER ON WHICH I WROTE MY COMMENTS.   I WILL NOT GRADE YOUR FINAL DRAFT UNTIL I HAVE THE FIRST DRAFT WITH MY PRELIMINARY COMMENTS ON IT.

 

Oct. 8:  No Class, Fall Break

 

Oct. 10:  Visit to Special Collections to discuss how to do research in the collections. Special Collections is in the Ramsey Library, on the second floor.  If you go up the stairs across from the Circulation Desk, it is immediately to your right, the "fancy" door with the wood paneling.  NOTE: WE WILL MEET IN SPECIAL COLLECTIONS ON THIS DAY. BE COURTEOUS TO THE PEOPLE IN SPECIAL COLLECTIONS -- BE ON TIME!  Students should begin to read the Douglass narrative.

 

Oct. 15: UNCA 101, Special Edition Advising Q&A session; Take-home midterm due in class.  Click here for midterm questions.

Oct. 15:  Advising begins for preregistration

 

Oct. 17: CLA Assessment session.  We will meet in the classroom (Zagier 246).

 

Oct. 22:  Introduction to Frederick Douglass and undergraduate research 

 

Oct. 24:  Discussion of Douglass narrative in class

Food for thought questions for the narrative discussion

 

Oct. 29:  Discussion of Douglass narrative, cont'd; Race, self-representation, and autobiography (no reading, we will watch a portion of Unchained Memories, a DVD on the WPA slave narratives) 

 

Oct. 31:  Multicultural autobiography (No readings)

 

Nov. 5: Research/Reflection paper due in class/discussion of papers  Click here for description of assignment

Nov. 5:  Preregistration begins

 

Nov. 7: Lesson #4, UNCA 101; Oral culture and autobiography: Excerpt from Black Elk Speaks, on electronic reserve.  

 

Nov. 12:   Excerpt from Migrant’s Daughter: Portrait of a Mexican American Woman on electronic reserve; Memoir of Agnes King [Lawton] Tison on electronic reserve

 

Nov. 14:  Lesson #5, UNCA 101; Art and Epitaphs as Autobiography (No readings, just visuals)

 

Nov. 18:  Preregistration ends

 

Nov. 19:  Tour of Asheville by staff of Center for Diversity Education

 

Nov. 21:  No Class:  Thanksgiving Holiday

 

Nov. 26:  Music and Autobiography (no readings)

 

Nov. 28:  Reflection paper on Blood Done Sign My Name due/discussion on the book.  Click here for assignment description.

 

Dec. 3:  Continued discussion on the book/in class activity Note that we will meet in the New Hall Forum room on this day. 

 

Note New Date!!!!!:  Final Exam, due to Dr. Pearson in her office by 12 noon Monday, December 10Click here for final exam information.